Petunia plant named &#39;BBTUN22503&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘BBTUN22503’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading and mounding to eventually trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form; early and freely flowering habit; double-type flowers that are dark red purple and white in color; and excellent garden performance.

Botanical designation: Petunia X hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BBTUN22503’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION AND STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

This application claims priority to a Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights application filed on May 17, 2019, application number 19-9876. There have been no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this Application and no accessibility to one of ordinary skill in the art could have been derived from the printed Plant Breeder's Rights documents.

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor. Applicant claims a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia X hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘BBTUN22503’.

The new Petunia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Bonsall, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new vigorous, freely-branching and uniformly mounding Petunia plants with early and freely flowering habit, attractive double-type flowers and good garden performance.

The new Petunia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor on Oct. 16, 2013 in Bonsall, Calif. of Petunia X hybrida ‘USTUNJ2401’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,028, as the female, or seed, parent with Petunia X hybrida ‘Sundasiro’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,870, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Petunia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bonsall, Calif. on Jun. 18, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Petunia plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bonsall, Calif. since Jun. 27, 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Petunia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Petunia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BBTUN22503’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BBTUN22503’ as a new and distinct Petunia plant:

-   -   1. Upright to outwardly spreading and mounding to eventually         trailing plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form.     -   4. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   5. Double-type flowers that are dark red purple and white in         color.     -   6. Excellent garden performance.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘USTUNJ2401’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Petunia differ primarily from plants of ‘USTUNJ2401’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia are more vigorous than and not as         compact as plants of ‘USTUNJ2401’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia have double-type flowers that are         dark red purple and white in color whereas plants of         ‘USTUNJ2401’ have single-type flowers that are red purple and         white in color.     -   3. Plants of the new Petunia perform better in the garden than         plants of ‘USTUNJ2401’.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘Sundasiro’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Petunia differ primarily from plants of ‘Sundasiro’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia are more outwardly spreading and         not as upright as plants of ‘Sundasiro’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia have double-type flowers that are         dark red purple and white in color whereas plants of         ‘USTUNJ2401’ have double-type flowers that are white in color.     -   3. Plants of the new Petunia perform better in the garden than         plants of ‘Sundasiro’.

Plants of the new Petunia can be compared to plants of ‘KL 1117’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,485. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Petunia differ primarily from plants of ‘KL 1117’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia are more outwardly spreading than         and not as upright as plants of ‘KL 1117’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia have double-type flowers that are         dark red purple and white in color whereas plants of ‘KL 1117’         have single-type flowers that are white in color.     -   3. Plants of the new Petunia perform better in the garden than         plants of ‘KL 1117’.

Plants of the new Petunia can also be compared to plants of ‘USTUNI6001’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,037. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Petunia differ primarily from plants of ‘Kakegawa S36’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Petunia are more mounding than plants of         ‘Kakegawa S36’.     -   2. Plants of the new Petunia are more freely branching and         denser than plants of ‘Kakegawa S36’.     -   3. Plants of the new Petunia have double-type flowers that are         dark red purple and white in color whereas plants of ‘Kakegawa         S36’ have single-type flowers that are magenta in color.     -   4. Plants of the new Petunia have stronger pathogen tolerance         and perform better in the garden than plants of ‘Kakegawa S36’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Petunia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Petunia plant.

At the top of the photographic sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘BBTUN22503’ grown in a container and at the bottom of the photographic sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘BBTUN22503’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the spring in 15.25-cm containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada and under cultural practices typical of commercial Petunia production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 27° C. and night temperatures averaged 15° C. Plants were pinched three weeks after planting and were ten weeks from planting rooted cuttings when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia X hybrida ‘BBTUN22503’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Petunia X hybrida ‘USTUNJ2401’,             disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,028.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Petunia X hybrida ‘Sundasiro’ ,             disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,520. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three to four days at             ambient temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About five to seven days at             ambient temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer.—About three weeks at             ambient temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter.—About four weeks at             ambient temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to outwardly spreading and             mounding to eventually trailing plant habit; freely             branching habit with about eight primary lateral branches             each with about ten secondary branches developing per plant,             dense and bushy plant form; pinching enhances development of             lateral branches; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth             rate.         -   Plant height.—About 22.6 cm.         -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 56.8 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 21.1 cm. Diameter: About             2.7 mm. Internode length: About 2.5 cm. Strength: Moderately             strong; flexible, not brittle. Aspect: Initially upright             then outwardly spreading to almost horizontal. Texture and             luster: Densely pubescent; matte. Color, developing: Close             to 144B. Color, developed: Close to 137B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate before flowering; opposite after             flowers develop; leaves simple.         -   Length.—About 6.1 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire, not undulate.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Moderately             pubescent; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, arcuate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 138A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully             developed leaves, upper surface: Close to N137D; venation,             close to 144B. Fully developed leaves, lower surface: Close             to 147B; venation, close to 145B.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture and luster, upper and             lower surfaces: Densely pubescent; matte. Color, upper             surface: Close to 145A to 145B. Color, lower surface: Close             to 145B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Double terminal and             axillary salverform flowers; flowers face mostly upward to             outwardly; freely flowering habit with about 170 flower buds             and open flowers per plant at one time.         -   Natural flowering season.—Long day responsive; long             flowering period, plants flower from early spring until             frost in the autumn, flowering continuous during this             period; early flowering habit, plants begin flowering about             six weeks after planting.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About five to seven days;             flowers not persistent.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 2.6 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Shape: Oblong, elongate. Texture and luster: Pubescent;             matte. Color, sepals: Close to 137B. Color, petals: Close to             N92A; distally, close to 83B.         -   Flower diameter.—About 3.8 cm.         -   Flower depth (height).—About 3.4 cm.         -   Tube length.—About 2.1 cm.         -   Tube diameter, distally.—About 9 mm.         -   Tube diameter, proximally.—About 2 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five petals fused in a             single salverform whorl. Petal lobe length (from throat):             About 1.2 cm. Petal lobe width: About 1.7 cm. Petal lobe             shape: Spatulate. Petal lobe apex: Broadly obtuse. Petal             lobe margin: Entire; moderately undulate. Petal lobe texture             and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; velvety; matte.             Petal lobe texture and luster, lower surface: Slightly to             moderately pubescent; matte. Tube texture and luster:             Slightly to moderately pubescent; matte. Color: When             opening, upper surface: More purple than N74A. When opening,             lower surface: Close to N78C; towards the margins, close to             85D. Fully opened, upper surface: More purple than N74A;             towards the margins, close to NN155D; towards the base,             close to 83C to 83D; venation, similar to lamina or close to             187C; with development, main color becoming closer to N74C.             Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78C; towards the             margins, close to NN155D; venation, similar to lamina or             close to N144A; with development, main color becoming closer             to N74C to N74D. Flower tube (outside): Close to N77B to             N77C; venation, close to 144B.         -   Petaloids.—Quantity and arrangement: About ten to twelve             fused in two whorls. Petal lobe length (from throat): About             3.7 cm. Petal lobe width: About 2.2 cm. Petal lobe shape:             Irregular. Petal lobe apex: Broadly acute. Petal lobe             margin: Entire; strongly undulate. Petal lobe texture and             luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; velvety; matte.             Petal lobe texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,             glabrous; matte. Tube texture and luster: Slightly to             moderately pubescent; matte. Color: When opening and fully             opened, upper surface: More purple than N74A; venation,             close to N74A and N78C; with development, color becoming             closer to N74C. When opening and fully opened, lower             surface: Close to N78D; venation, close to N78D; with             development, color becoming closer to N74C to N74D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five sepals fused in a             single star-shaped whorl. Length: About 1.2 cm. Width: About             2 mm. Shape: Narrowly oblong. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Sparsely to moderately             pubescent; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface:             Moderately pubescent; matte. Color: When opening and fully             developed, upper surface: Close to N137D. When opening and             fully developed, lower surface: Close to 137B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 3.3 cm. Width: About 1.5 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong to strong; wiry and flexible,             not brittle. Angle: About 45° from stem axis. Texture and             luster: Densely pubescent; matte. Color: Close to 144A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About             eight to ten. Filament length: About 1.3 cm. Filament color:             Close to 157B. Anther length: About 2 mm. Anther shape:             Bi-lobed. Anther color: Close to 97D. Pollen amount:             Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 91C. Pistils: Quantity per             flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.8 cm. Style length:             About 1.7 cm. Style color: Close to 145C; distally, close to             N187A. Stigma diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Round.             Stigma color: Close to 148A. Ovary color: Close to 144A.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development has             not been observed on plants of the new Petunia. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Petunia have     not been noted to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to     Petunia plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Petunia have been observed to     have excellent garden performance and have been observed to tolerate     rain, wind and temperatures ranging from about 1° C. to about 40° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘BBTUN22503’ as illustrated and described. 